CPM Extrusion has been manufacturing twin-screw extrusion equipment and systems since 1988. With locations in Michigan (USA), Lauffen (Germany), and Nanjing (China), the company has long been recognized as a global manufacturer.
At NPE2024, CPM reinforced its reputation by launching the Global eXtruder Technology (GXT) twin-screw extruder. Combining the know-how and experience from its global locations, CPM developed a standardized solution that can be shipped anywhere in the world with the same specifications, same design, and same support. CPM will manufacturer the GXT in whichever of its three factories is closest to the customer and use its global engineering and service teams to set it up on-site.
“The big idea around the platform is to have a machine standardized on design, quality, and support globally for our customers,” Karl-Heinz Tietz global extrusion systems director at CPM, told Sustainable Plastics. “The machine looks the same, has the same quality, has the same specifications, whether customers buy them in the US, South America, Europe, China – wherever they want them, we can build them. Big global companies that have different plans to run the same products, they can use the same machine with the same control systems that conforms to all local standards,” Tietz explained.
Cost competitiveness
The GXT is available in standard centerline geometries, 13 Nm/cm3 torque densities and anywhere from 40 to 48 L/D with screw speed options of 600, 900, and 1200 RPM at maximized power output. While the pre-engineered machine provides some flexibility on options, it also provides big savings on price – anything between 15% to 35% depending on the model – in comparison to CMT’s more customizable CX series.
“Another focus on this platform is also that we as a company have been really in tune with cost of ownership,” Sean P. Doran, vice president engineered materials at CPM, told Sustainable Plastics. “Cost of ownership is not only long-term but also the short-term capital equipment purchase. With the GXT we are trying to become more competitive. But because cost of ownership is also long-term, we've standardized the machine on that 1.55 geometry which the twin-screw extrusion co-rotating machinery industry knows very well, because they're everywhere.”
‘The GXT hits on service, quality, and price,’ Doran said, adding that CPM received ‘a lot of positive enquires’ about the brand-new machine at NPE.
High output side-feeder
Also new at NPE and on display on the show floor was CPM’s most recent side feeder for low bulk density fillers and materials.
The design focuses on applying vacuum on a microporous filter in-liner which can be frequently back flushed and installed into a standard side feed barrel. The filter avoids blocking of the vacuum unit by emerging powder or particles and can be manually backflushed by compressed air.
The system is available with screw diameters from 25 mm to 120 mm. It adjusts vacuum level according to the bulk density of the material to achieve the most efficient conveying effect of the low bulk density material. The liner is divided into two vacuum sections that are controlled individually to allow continuous densifying during purging cycles.
“There are other technologies that are similar to this, but not as efficient,” Tietz said. “We tried to figure out how to get more air out and more efficiency and surface area. Other technologies just use an insert, whereas we use a full liner and we create more surface area. We also have a dual chamber while others are only single chambers. That adds to the efficiency, because over time the filter starts clogging up with the powder and you got to get it out. With dual chambers, if you've got to purge one you can do it while the other still sucks vacuum,” Tiez explained.
CPM customers around the globe have been asking the company for ways to improve their powder feed rate for years. With the new side feeder, CPM is seeing improvements from around 17% feed rate with talk to 49%.
“That’s with one sider feeder and a lot of customers operate two, so it’s a tremendous improvement,” Doran noted. “We’re getting a lot of enquiries, a lot of requests, and a lot of customers coming to our booth asking us more about this unit.”
Extruder audit
Visitors at CPM’s booth also had the chance to join audit sessions with Gregory Walter, senior extruder audit manager, where he thoroughly explained the company’s process.
CPM’s audits include full visual inspection, barrel mapping, bore measurements using capacitive sensor technology along with 4K imaging and video of the internal barrel bores.
Within the same day, customers are provided triple verified data of the audit, and within three to five days, customers receive a summary report with measurement data and wear analysis along with recommendations on how to proceed.